First time Leica buyer needs guidance...

[jbrough]

I'm shopping for my first Leica rangerfinder and need some advice. I'd like something quiet and simple with a built in meter and a range of fast lenses in the 24 - 135mm range, but am not really sure where to start. Any recommendations of body and lenses would be much appreciated. I hear the M5 is good?

 

[jonasv]

M5, M6, M6TTL, M7 or MP...

I'd take the M6 if I had the money... but if you want good advice, you need to list in detail what exactly you're planning to do with it, if you're going to need flash, if size is a major concern, whether or not you'll need aperture priority, price range, framelines, etc. What you'll hear now is just everyone's personal preference, not necessarily the best camera to suit your needs.

 

[Avotius]

im fond of the m6ttl and the m7. If you are into the telephoto lenses then you should look for a .85 finder probably then use a accessory finder for wider lenses such as the 24.

 

[joebt]

I vote for the M6 TTL. I just grabbed one about a month ago and I'm sold. I came from shooting a Nikon D-70, Olympus E-1, Panasonic LC1, OM1, and a OM2 Spot Program. I picked up a Leica R4 last year, and an M6 TTL this year. I already had the SF20, which I used with the LC1, so that was perfect for my transition to a rangefinder. I have worked with an M7, but I like the security of knowing I can work without a battery if necessary.

 

[scigeek]

M6 is good. Go for the latest 2.8 50mm Elmar, and pick up an inexpensive s/hand 90mm non-collapsible 90mm Elmar. Both great lenses. The money you save on the 90mm Elmar (I bought a great one from a Dealer last year for a little over £100) can be put towards your other lenses.

 

[Les Lammers]

If you are going to get a Leica, buy this book first. It is excellent, well worth the money and will help you decide which camera is best for you. For your first purchase I would utilize a good dealer. Then there will be no surprises when the camera arrives. In other words, I would avoid ehay for a first time purchase.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1579906370/104-1226518-8873530?v=glance&n=283155


This book is very worthwhile too.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/18...6518-8873530?_encoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155 😎

Les

 

[markinlondon]

This page probably has all the info you're looking for

Mark

PS excuse formatting

 

[BudGreen]

Go for the latest 2.8 50mm Elmar, and pick up an inexpensive s/hand 90mm non-collapsible 90mm Elmar. Both great lenses.

I also recommend the latest Elmar 50. It's compact, high quality, and a bargain by Leica standards. I recently took the plunge and went with the M7 because I wanted aperture priority for taking photos of the kids.

 

[neil gowlland]

Why do you want a rangefinder? The answer to that may help.

 

[visiondr]

Welcome jbrough,

I'd go with an M6/M6TTL as they are both metered (manual) and are relatively inexpensive (relative, that is, to an M7 or MP).

I just saw an M6TTL for sale at Popflash.com.

 

[peter_n]

You have been pointed to excellent resources above. Do your own research and take what you read on the internet with a grain of salt. If you want a meter in your camera then start with the M6 and move forward to the M6TTL, M7 and MP as mentioned above. Do you like older cameras or newer ones? The M6 and M6TTL are quite different in that the shutter speed dials operate in reverse directions on the two cameras. The M6 has the same dial as all the older Leicas and the MP, the M6TTL and M7 have a bigger dial that rotates in the opposite direction. Leica did this for a very good reason but it irritates the hell out of a lot of people.

I started out on this journey almost three years ago and went with an M6TTL and have not regretted it at all. I did read a lot, especially on the Leica forum on photo.net (RFF didn't exist when I began). I strongly advise you to do the same and if possible, visit a Leica dealer or a camera show to handle the various bodies so that you can get a first-hand feel for the different variations. A used current Elmar-M 50/2.8 is an excellent lens to start out with BTW. Good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[vizioneer]

Well...if I were you I'd be looking at a 35mm or 50mm lens to start with, f/1.4 or f/2.0 preferably. As far as bodies go, do you wear glasses? If you do and want to shoot with a 35mm mainly, the .58 magnification body is the way to go (IMO). For longer lenses, you can screw on the 1.25x magnifier. popflash.com is a great dealer, you can also surf photo.net's classifieds, ebay.com from reputable sellers, etc.. Good luck.

 

[BigSteveG]

Depends on what lenses you'll be using....

Depends on what lenses you'll be using....

I just purchased an M6 w/ .85 finder (1st M purchase). I intend on purchasing 75 'lux and 135 lenses at some point. The wider angles don't interest me much now because I have 21/28 lenses in another system. The .72 offers framelines frpm 28mm to 135, but the .85 offers more magnification while dropping the 28mm frameline. Of course you can always split the difference w/ a .72 finder and 1.25 magnifer for another $250 or so.

 

[photocrazy]

M6+Summicron 35mm, a classic or cliche combination!!!

 

[steelheart]

The "Leica Advanced Photo School" book is an absolute must have. As far as cameras, I would go with the MP and the 50/2 'cron.

 

[Jon Graham]

Before you go amy further, I would ask yourself why you want a rangefinder. If you cannot borrow one or rent one for a few days, then spend a few hundred dollars on a Bessa with a 35 or 50mm lens. In other words - don't jump in head first.

The Bessa can take pics just as good as a Leica. It is up to you. But see if you like the 'style' of rangefinders. Many people prefer slrs.

If you decide you love the RF, then let your budget determine which Leica you buy and which lens.

If you dislike the Bessa, sell it or put it away. But do not spend several $1000 on a Leica unless you have tried a RF system and love the system.

Personally I find the M7 and 35asph or 50asph my most used combo - but this is not inexpensive.